Pat Thornton
| Name: | Pat Thornton |
| Location: | Owston Ferry, Doncaster |
| Crops: | Oilseed Rape, Winter Wheat, Spring Barley |
| Farming philosophy: | If you do the same thing every year, you can’t expect a different result. |
| Biggest agronomic challenge: | If you do the same thing every year, you can’t expect a different result. |
Occupation
Farmer
Address
Low Melwood Farm, Owston Ferry, Doncaster
Crops
Oilseed Rape, Winter Wheat, Spring Barley
About the farmer
Brought up on the family farm, Pat has combined a career in agronomy with his own farming activities. He has worked with ADAS, NIAB/TAG and AHDB where he had responsibility for running monitor farms. He also works as a consultant.
About the farm
The land here is pretty heavy.
The position as regards to blackgrass is challenging on this heavy land but rotational control is proving beneficial. A low disturbance cultivation and establishment system is favoured. It is a learning process, but I am using cover crops and direct drilling when appropriate.
I regard establishing oilseed rape as the biggest rotational challenge in my system. Establishing the crop after a spring cereal can be very short to create a strong plant to cope with CSFB pressure.
Farming philosophy
If you do the same thing every year, you can’t expect a different result.
Biggest agronomic challenge
My biggest agronomic challenges are growing oilseed rape, black-grass control and improving soil health.
Cultivation and drilling approach
Do only what is necessary.
Rotation
2 winter wheats, spring cereal, break.
What do they most value about Real Results?
I enjoy accessing new chemistry.